The Red Devils look to be out of this year’s Premier League title race already, and may also struggle to finish in the top four after a difficult opening half of the season.

They broke their transfer record last month to land Juan Mata for £37.1m, but the Spaniard’s arrival has not addressed all of the current concerns at Old Trafford.

With City and Chelsea likely to open their chequebooks again during the next window, Cole feels that Moyes may have to splash the cash to keep up with the mega-money double act:

“When you have a situation where Manchester City are prepared to spend £50mon two centre-halves – then you have to consider the possibility that they may go out and spend ￡200m this summer. Chelsea, very easily, could spend another ￡100m.” He is quoted by the Daily Star.

“Bear in mind, United have just forked out￡37million on an attack-minded midfielder and need more players. So in order to catch up, they are going to have to go big, match City’s spending and even if they do, you still don’t know if they will win next season’s title.

“It is hard to accept but the simple fact of the matter is that there are better teams than Manchester United right now and that’s why they are so low in the table.”

United have already been linked with PSG’s Edinson Cavani, who is likely to cost around £50m.